Frequently Asked Questions
Below you’ll find answers to many of the most frequently asked questions about services at Jennifer Ann Counseling, including insurance, our cancellation policy, and getting started with therapy. If your question isn’t answered below, feel free to fill out our contact form or reach out via email.
Before you dive in, I want to acknowledge that seeking support can feel vulnerable—especially in a world where mental health is still misunderstood or stigmatized. But reaching out is not a weakness. It’s a sign of deep self-awareness and the courage to honor what you need. That’s brave! And it’s one of the most powerful ways you can care for your nervous system.
Everyone needs help now and then, and in this space, every part of you is welcome.
In a crisis or an emergency?
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), or go to your nearest hospital.
You can also contact:
Colorado Crisis Services – Available 24/7
Call: 1-844-493-TALK (8255)
Text: “TALK” to 38255
Walk-in locations statewide: coloradocrisisservices.org
Offers free, confidential support from trained mental health professionals, regardless of ability to pay.
Additional 24/7 Hotlines:
AspenPointe Crisis Line (Colorado Springs): (719) 572-6100
Cedar Springs Hospital (Colorado Springs): (719) 633-4114
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
Eating Disorder Helpline (NEDA): 1-800-931-2237
LGBTQIA+ Support (Trevor Project): 1-866-488-7386
Rates, Fees, and Insurance
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Intake session (75 minutes): $225-$250
This is our initial session! It’s our chance to dive in and get to know each other. We’ll talk about what’s bringing you in, explore your story, and begin to map out what healing and support might look like for you. It’s a little longer to give us plenty of space to ease in.
Ongoing sessions (50 minutes): $175-$200
Sessions are available in-person, virtually, or as a hybrid, depending on what works best for you.
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Yes! We reserve a limited number of sliding scale spots for clients needing financial flexibility. Sliding scale means a reduced rate based on your income or financial situation. We have a short form you can fill out to help determine a rate that feels sustainable for you!
These spots are first-come, first-served. If we don’t currently have a sliding scale spot available, we are always happy to offer referrals to trusted lower-cost providers.
And if cost is a concern, please don’t hesitate to reach out! We are more than happy to talk it through with you.
If you’re looking for an in-network provider, here are some great places to look:
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We accept cash, check, and card. Our online system accepts most credit/debit cards, including HSA and FSA cards that function like a regular card.
Before your first session, you will receive a secure form to enter your card info. The session fee is charged the evening of each appointment.
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Jennifer Ann Counseling is considered an out-of-network provider, which means we are not in-network with any insurance companies. I have chosen not to work directly with insurance for more flexibility in my practice, and also to protect your privacy. I think it’s important to provide care that isn’t dictated by insurance requirements or forced diagnoses. That feels icky to me.
That being said, if your insurance plan includes out-of-network mental health benefits, you may be eligible for partial reimbursement. Your out-of-network benefits are usually pretty straightforward to use. We have two options:
We work alongside a company, Thrizer who can submit claims to your insurance company on your behalf for a small fee. After you’ve met your deductible, you can decide whether or not you want to pay for the session in full, and receive reimbursement from your insurance company via direct deposit. Or you can simply pay your co-insurance and Thrizer can cover the rest of the cost for you, while they wait for reimbursement from your insurance company. You can use this link to check your out-of-network benefits.
Or if you prefer to deal with your insurance company yourself, we will provide you with a monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. You will be responsible for paying for each session in full at time of appointment.
We can discuss these options in more detail on an intro call and see what works best for you!
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You might have more coverage than you realize! To find out, call the number on the back of your insurance card and ask:
Do I have out-of-network mental health benefits?
What is my deductible for out-of-network services? Has it been met?
What percentage of each session will I be reimbursed for?
(Mention CPT code 90834: 45-minute individual psychotherapy.)How do I submit a superbill for reimbursement?
Are there any session limits or pre-authorizations required?
If you’d like to use superbills for out-of-network reimbursement, please let us know. Please note that insurance reimbursement requires a mental health diagnosis to be listed on the superbill.
Find out more about how to determine your out-of-network benefits here.
About the Sessions
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Your first session is a chance for us to slow down, get to know each other, and begin exploring what brings you to therapy. We’ll talk through what’s been coming up for you, what you’re hoping to shift or understand, and what you want from our work together. Your therapist will guide the conversation with thoughtful questions, but never in an overwhelming or rapid-fire way. We’ll also reference your intake paperwork to gather more context and better understand your experiences. Throughout this first 75-minute session, you’re always welcome to share what feels most important, and to ask questions, too.
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We offer standing, recurring appointment times, either weekly or bi-weekly. This means you’ll have a dedicated spot reserved in your therapist’s schedule just for you.
When weekly availability is available, we often recommend beginning with weekly sessions, as therapy tends to be most effective when there’s consistency, especially in the beginning. When possible, we encourage new clients to commit to weekly sessions for at least the first 6 weeks. This can help build trust, create momentum, and support meaningful progress.
If a weekly spot isn’t available, we may begin with bi-weekly sessions instead and revisit frequency together over time. After the initial 6 weeks, we’ll reassess what best supports your goals, whether that’s continuing weekly or shifting to bi-weekly. These decisions are always collaborative and tailored to your needs.
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Therapy is your space, so come as you are! :) You don’t need to come in with a plan. Your therapist will meet you with curiosity, compassion, and collaboration. You’ll often hear your therapist ask questions like, “How are you arriving today?” and they may reference themes or conversations from recent sessions to help create continuity and support the work we’re doing together.
You’re welcome to bring whatever helps you feel comfortable during sessions. Our offices include cozy touches like Squishmallows, blankets, pillows, and fidgets, and you’re always welcome to bring anything that helps you feel grounded, comfortable, or more like yourself!
We also believe therapy can hold space for both hard things and lightness. While therapy often involves meaningful emotional work, laughter and moments of joy are very much welcome here.
As therapy progresses, your therapist will regularly check in about goals and how the process is feeling to help make sure you’re getting the support you need from our work together.
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Yes, confidentiality is one of the most essential parts of the therapeutic relationship. What you share in session stays private, and you’ll receive a written informed consent form that outlines exactly how your privacy is protected. You remain in control of your story, and clinicians at Jennifer Ann Counseling will not share information with anyone (including other providers) without your written permission.
That said, there are a few legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality that exist to help protect your safety and the safety of others. As mandated reporters, clinicians are required to break confidentiality if:
There is suspected abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or vulnerable adult
You are at serious risk of harming yourself or someone else
If situations like these ever arise, your therapist will approach them with care and transparency whenever possible. Our priority is always to support your safety and well-being while honoring your autonomy and dignity as much as possible.
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Our appointment times are reserved specifically for you. We require at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Without that notice, the full session fee will be charged. No-shows are also charged the full session fee.
That said, we know life happens! We offer one grace late cancellation or no-show per client. After that, late cancellations, reschedules made with less than 48 hours’ notice, or no-shows will be charged in full. Special consideration may be given in cases of emergency or sudden illness, at your therapist’s discretion.
And because your time matters too, if your therapist needs to cancel your session with less than 48 hours’ notice outside of a true emergency, we’ll waive one future late cancellation or no-show fee for you—unless we’re able to reschedule within the same week.
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There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline. Some clients meet their goals in just a few months, while others continue for years as part of ongoing care. Therapy can be a short-term tool for growth or a long-term space for reflection, support, and maintenance; it all depends on your needs.
Our goal is to support you for as long as therapy feels helpful and aligned with your goals. As you build confidence in the progress you’re making, we’ll regularly check in together about what feels most supportive moving forward, including whether it feels like the right time to wrap up therapy. Those decisions are always collaborative and guided by your needs.
Some clients pause therapy and return later when life shifts or stress increases, and we’re always glad to reconnect with returning clients, whether you’re coming back for support or simply sharing an update.
Whether your time in therapy is brief or ongoing, we’ll shape the process around what feels most supportive and meaningful for you.
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When it’s time to wrap up therapy, that decision is approached collaboratively. We don’t believe in abruptly deciding that someone is “done” with therapy. Our goal is to provide support for as long as therapy feels helpful, meaningful, and aligned with your needs.
When a collaborative decision is made to end therapy, a closing session is often recommended. We believe rituals can be a meaningful way to honor different seasons of life, and therapy is no exception. No matter how long you’ve worked with your therapist, it can be valuable to intentionally close your time together in a way that honors both the work you’ve done and the therapeutic relationship you’ve built.
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Jennifer Ann Counseling primarily serves adults (18+). Some clinicians within our practice may also work with teens, depending on age, availability, and clinical fit. If you’re looking for support for someone under 18, we encourage you to reach out so we can help guide you toward the best fit.
Misc / Therapy Questions
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We don’t generally approach therapy from a place of assigning labels unless doing so serves a meaningful purpose in your care. Our work is rooted in understanding your lived experience and making sense of the symptoms, patterns, stressors, or challenges showing up in your life, rather than reducing you to a diagnosis.
That said, diagnostic language can sometimes be helpful for insight, validation, treatment planning, referrals, or helping make sense of what you’re experiencing. If a diagnosis becomes clinically relevant, we’ll approach those conversations collaboratively and transparently.
It’s also important to know that if you choose to seek insurance reimbursement using superbills, a mental health diagnosis is required on the documentation provided for out-of-network reimbursement. This is standard practice for insurance billing, and we’ll always communicate openly with you if diagnostic documentation becomes part of your care.
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Great question! If we happen to run into each other outside of the office, your therapist will follow your lead. To help protect your privacy and confidentiality, clinicians at Jennifer Ann Counseling won’t initiate contact or acknowledge the therapeutic relationship unless you choose to.
If you decide to say hello, your therapist will always be happy to return the greeting. We know these moments can sometimes feel a little awkward or unexpected, so please know there’s no pressure either way. Your comfort, privacy, and confidentiality are always a priority.
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Not sure if we’re the right fit? That’s completely okay. We offer free 15-minute intro calls for potential new clients as a low-pressure way to connect, ask questions, and explore whether working together feels like the right fit.
These calls can happen by phone or video — whatever feels most comfortable.
Here’s what you can expect:
We’ll ask what’s bringing you to therapy right now
We’ll share more about your potential therapist and their approach to therapy
You can ask any questions you have (ask away!)
We’ll cover logistics like rates, out-of-network reimbursement, and availability
This call is simply a starting place and there’s absolutely no pressure to move forward with services; it’s just an opportunity to see whether it feels like the right next step for you.
And if it doesn’t feel like the right fit, we’re always happy to help point you toward other trusted clinicians or resources that may be a better match.
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If we both feel like it’s a good fit after your intro call, we’ll help you get your first therapy session scheduled. Before your appointment, you’ll receive intake paperwork to complete so your therapist can begin getting to know you and your goals ahead of time.
If you’re coming in person, we’ll provide office details and directions before your first visit. If you’re meeting virtually, you’ll receive a secure video link through SimplePractice, our HIPAA-compliant platform designed specifically for therapy.
We’ll guide you through each step of the process so getting started feels as simple and supported as possible.